Gainsborough Trinity 1 Worcester City 1

Monday, 19 December 2016 08:08
Written by wds

Gainsborough were left to hang on for a point at home to Worcester as a late onslaught almost sent all three points down to Worcestershire. Ashley Worsfold had put Trinity ahead with a cool finish before Steven Craig headed home unmarked from a corner. Former Premier League forward Lee Hughes rattled the crossbar late on as Trinity defended stoically for the last half hour.

Before the game Blues boss Dom Roma continued with the 3-5-2 used in recent games, which had shored up the defence but resulted in poor form in front of goal. Trinity however took the lead within 11 minutes here when a defensive slip allowed Ashley Worsfold to latch onto a Josh Lacey through ball and finish through the keeper's legs.

Gainsborough should have extended their lead two minutes later but Jack McGovern elected to shoot from the edge of the box rather than slot in Noel Burdett who was unmarked on the left hand side of the area. Worcester did little in response until Jordan Murphy cut in from the right hand side and found the side netting.

The chance spurred on the visitors and midway through the half they levelled from a corner. A Danny Jackman corner was flicked on at the near post and Steven Craig, unmarked at the far, nodded into the net. The City leveller buoyed them on and they deserved to be on level terms at half time. Trinity had a chance before the break to go back in front when Laurie Wilson hit a volley on target with Worcester keeper Ethan Ross reacting smartly to stop him.

Despite conceding the equaliser Gainsborough came out from the changing rooms in confident mood, creating a couple of chances within the first five minutes of the half. A cushioned chest from McGovern unleashed Worsfold down the left flank. The striker repaid the favour and squared to McGovern who shot over the bar. Minutes later, Lacey got forward from his wing back position and linked up with Worsfold once more but there was no goal this time as a tame shot found the keeper's arms.

City survived the scares and from the hour began to dominate the play as the Trinity defensive line dropped deeper and deeper. The Blues were frugal with the opportunities they handed out with George Willis forced into only one save despite the amount of possession the visitors had. Worcester did break the defence once though, with left back Cieron Keane putting a superb cross into the box for veteran Lee Hughes to canon a shot off the crossbar.

Gainsborough had a late opportunity themselves to snatch the points when on loan Scunthorpe winger Noel Burdett had a shot deflected agonisingly wide with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. McGovern then won a header from a corner which was comfortably claimed. A point is a point though and it could be a momentum builder for the double header with Boston over the Christmas period.